Sri Margabandeswarar Temple, Virinjipuram: A Sacred Guide to History, Rituals & Legends

 

Location Overview

• Temple Name: Sri Margabandeswarar Temple (also known as Virinjipuram Temple)
• Location: Virinjipuram, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu – about 13 km from Vellore on the southern bank of the Palar River
• Access: Located off the Chennai–Bangalore highway; nearest railway station is Vellore Town; nearest airport is Chennai (130 km)

Presiding Deities

• Main Deity (Moolavar): Lord Shiva as Margabandeswarar – a swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam, slightly leaning to the northeast
• Consort: Goddess Maragadhambikai – a four-armed idol in standing posture, facing east
• Other Shrines: Ganapathy, Subramanya, Chandra Mouleeswara, Pancha Mukha Lingam, Saptha Matrikas, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, and Brahma as Virinjan

History and Significance

• Age: Over 1300 years old
• Dynasties Involved:
• Rashtrakutas – earliest contributions
• Cholas – Raja Raja Chola and Kulothunga Chola’s viceroy built the main shrine
• Pallavas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara kings – expanded the temple
• Chinna Bommi Nayaka, a chieftain under Vijayanagara king Sadasiva Raya, built the majestic Rajagopuram
• Architectural Highlights:
• Towering Rajagopuram over 100 ft tall
• Intricate stone carvings, mandapams, and Rudraksha-covered sanctum roof
• Unique palm tree (sthala vruksha) that bears black fruits one year and white the next
• Sun rays fall on the Shiva Lingam during Panguni month (March–April)
• Cultural Note: Birthplace of Sri Appayya Dikshitar, a renowned Advaita scholar and devotee of Shiva

Legends and Mythology

• Brahma’s Redemption:
  Lord Brahma once lied about finding the top of Shiva’s infinite form. As a result, he was cursed and reborn as a poor Brahmin named Siva Sharma in Virinjipuram. After years of penance at this temple, Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him, lifting his curse.
• Name Significance:
  The name Margabandeswarar means “Lord who guides the path,” symbolizing Shiva’s role as a divine protector and guide for devotees

Architecture

The temple is a masterpiece of Chola and Vijayanagara architecture, dating back over 1300 years.

• The Rajagopuram (main tower) rises over 100 feet, adorned with intricate carvings of deities, animals, and floral motifs.
• The sanctum sanctorum is roofed with Rudraksha tiles, a rare architectural feature.
• The Shiva Lingam is a swayambhu (self-manifested) form, slightly tilted to the northeast, symbolizing Lord Shiva bowing to accept Brahma’s offering.
• The Sthala Vriksha (sacred tree) is a palm tree that uniquely bears black fruits one year and white the next.
• The temple is aligned so that sun rays fall directly on the Lingam during the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April), earning it the name Bhaskara Kshetram.

Rituals and Festivals

• Daily Rituals: Include abhishekam with milk, curd, honey, turmeric, and Panchamrit; devotees also offer saris and dhotis to the deities.
• Major Festivals:
• Brahmotsavam (Panguni – March/April): 10-day celebration with flag hoisting, vahanam processions, and Theerthavari (sacred bath).
• Maha Shivaratri (Feb/March): All-night worship with music, dance, and special pujas.
• Karthigai Deepam (Nov/Dec): Celebrated with lamps and abhishekam using 108 conches.
• Navaratri (Sept/Oct), Adi Pooram (July/Aug), Thaipusam (Jan/Feb), and Pradosham days are also observed with grandeur.
• Special Observances:
• Simha Theertham dip on the last Sunday of Karthigai attracts thousands.
• Monthly rituals include Amavasya, Pournami, Krithika, and Sankatahara Chaturthi pujas.

Beliefs and Devotee Faith

• Child Boon: Devotees believe that bathing in the Palar River, followed by dips in Brahma and Simha Theerthams, and circumambulating the sanctum grants fertility and child blessings.
• Relief from Witchcraft and Evil Forces: The temple is revered for cleansing negative energies and removing obstacles.
• Marriage Blessings: Many pray here for timely and harmonious marriages.
• Path Guidance: The name Margabandeswarar means “Lord who guides the path,” and devotees seek his blessings for life direction and protection.
• Historical Devotees: The temple is associated with Sri Appayya Dikshitar, a renowned Advaita scholar born here, and is mentioned in texts like the Arunachala Puranam and Kanchi Puranam.

Scriptural and Mythological References

1. Brahma’s Redemption Legend

According to temple tradition:

• Lord Brahma, after falsely claiming to have seen the top of Shiva’s infinite form (Lingodbhava), was cursed and reborn as a poor Brahmin named Siva Sharma.
• He performed intense penance at Virinjipuram, where Lord Shiva appeared as Margabandeswarar, lifted his curse, and granted him moksha.
• This legend aligns with the Lingodbhava narrative found in the Shiva Purana and Kanchi Mahatmya, though the Virinjipuram-specific version is preserved through local sthala puranas and oral tradition.

2. Name Significance – “Margabandeswarar”

• The name means “Lord who guides the path”, symbolizing Shiva as the divine protector and guide.
• This aligns with the concept of Shiva as a pathfinder (Margabandhu) in Shaiva Siddhanta philosophy.

3. Association with Sri Appayya Dikshitar

• The temple is the birthplace of Sri Appayya Dikshitar, a 16th-century Advaita scholar and Shaiva devotee.
• His works, such as Shivarka Mani Dipika and Kuvalayananda, often reference Virinjipuram and Margabandeswarar, giving the temple a scholarly scriptural connection.

Temple’s Scriptural Role

While not one of the 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams (sung by Nayanmars), the temple is:

• Revered in regional Shaiva texts
• Celebrated in oral sthala puranas
• Recognized for its swayambhu lingam, Rudraksha-roofed sanctum, and solar alignment, which are scripturally symbolic of divine presence and cosmic order

Temple Timings

• Morning: 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  

These timings are ideal for darshan, abhishekam, and personal puja offerings.

Typical Daily Schedule

6:00 AM – Suprabhata Seva & Temple Opening

6:30 AM – Abhishekam to Margabandeswarar and Maragadhambikai

7:30 AM – Alankaram and Archana

8:00 AM – General Darshan

10:30 AM – Uchikala Puja (Midday Ritual)

11:00 AM – Temple closes for the afternoon

4:00 PM – Reopens for evening darshan

6:00 PM – Sayaraksha Puja (Evening Ritual)

7:30 PM – Ardhajama Puja (Night Puja)

8:00 PM – Temple closes

Getting Here

By Road

• Located about 13 km from Vellore city
• From Chennai: Take the Chennai–Bangalore Highway (NH 48) → After Vellore Bypass, continue for 10 km to Sedhuvalai → Turn right to Virinchipuram → Temple is 1 km from the junction
• Well-connected by buses and taxis from Vellore, Katpadi, and Arcot

By Train

• Nearest Railway Station: Latteri Station – approx. 4.5 km from the temple
• Major Station: Katpadi Junction – approx. 15 km away, with connections to Chennai, Bengaluru, Tirupati, and Coimbatore

By Air

• Nearest Airport: Chennai International Airport – approx. 130 km
• Taxis and buses are available from the airport to Vellore and onward to Virinjipuram

Tips

Visit during Shravan or Panguni months for special rituals and sun-ray darshan on the Shiva Lingam.

Perform abhishekam with Panchamrit or Gangajal—available at the temple counter.

Offer bel leaves, white flowers, and Rudraksha garlands to Lord Margabandeswarar.

Circumambulate the sanctum after bathing in the nearby Simha Theertham for fertility and family blessings.

Recite the Margabandhu Stotram (a hymn to the guiding form of Shiva) for protection and life guidance.

Early morning or evening visits are ideal to avoid heat and crowds.

Photography may be restricted inside the sanctum—check with temple staff.

Restrooms and basic amenities are available near the temple entrance.